FOR a full two hours 30-somethings were allowed to forget their responsibilities - families, jobs, mortgages - and take themselves back a decade to their carefree youth courtesy of the Sheffield trio Phil Oakey, Susan Sully and Joanne Catherall.

Hence their rapturous and very vocal welcome to Manchester.

The adoration from the sell-out and very mixed audience was understandable.

Most I suspect had enjoyed their first snog to a Human League tune or undergone the agonies of their first rejection. Every song seemed to have its own special memory.

The audience was treated to a mixture of their hits from the past 17 years from their early punk offering Being Boiled through classic Abba-esque pop songs like Love Action, Mirror Man and The Sound of the Crowd.

Although extremely popular in their heyday they were definitely considered naff, mainly due to Phil Oakey's fetishism for lob-sided haircuts and blue eyeshadow.

Therefore any self-respecting 'cool' teenager would never admit to having Don't You Want Me in their record collection.

But now 10 years down the line all those 'cool' teenagers were able to come out the closet and let everyone know that they think The Human League were and are the greatest band in the world ever.

Between them Phil, Susan and Joanne reminded the audience that they've released some cracking good pop songs over the years including their recent hits Tell Me When and Stay With Me Tonight.

A night of satin smooth pop classics. Pure nostalgia.

And don't worry if you failed to get a ticket for the gig on Saturday. Due to overwhelming public demand the band are making a return visit on December 9. Box office: 0161 242 2560. JENNIFER BRADBURY

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